Safety First

Please be aware of these alerts and notices because many unexpected situations can present difficult challenges for forest visitors.

Be well informed and prepared for your next visit to the forest.

Know before you go! Before venturing out, contact the nearest Forest Service office for recent information on alerts, advisories, notices and closures.

To report an emergency, please call 911.

Alerts

• Travelling through a burned area

  Date(s): Feb 2, 2021

  Have you ever found yourself travelling through a burned area? A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Some hazards include falling trees and limbs, unstable ground, falling rocks, possible landslides and flash floods.
  Learn and share these safety tips.
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• Mt Shasta seasonal road closures for Nordic skiing

  Date(s): Dec 1, 2020

  Contact(s): Carol Underhill

  From December 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021 several roads in the Mt Shasta area will be closed to all vehicles. These seasonal road closures allow the roads to be used for Nordic skiing.

  • Forest Order 14-20-15
  • Map of seasonal road closures

   

   

• Public Safety Power Shutoffs

  Date(s): Oct 8, 2019

  Your planned visit to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest may be impacted if your visit coincides with a Public Safety Power Shutoff.

  Click here to find out what services may be impacted across the forest and learn tips on how you can best prepare such occurrences.
   

• Water safety - waterfalls, rivers and lakes

  Date(s): Aug 5, 2019

  Always wear a lifejacket & follow these tips!

  • Heed posted warning signs and stay on established trails • Don't jump or dive off of waterfalls or cliffs. Unseen objects, such as logs and boulders, may be under the water’s surface. • Never swim or wade upstream near a waterfall, even if the water appears shallow and calm. The currents close to the falls could pull swimmers over the edge. • Avoid rock hopping. Stream polished rocks along the water's edge may be slippery. • Avoid deep and/or swift water. • Always supervise children closely. Do not read, play cards, talk on the phone or engage in any other distracting activity while watching children. • Know the weather forecast before you go. Strong winds and thunderstorms are dangerous to swimmers and boaters. More: https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/water-safety

• Marijuana gardens in the woods?

  Date(s): Jul 23, 2019

  Although growing marijuana on public lands is illegal, hidden marijuana grow sites are becoming more common. Years ago, marijuana was illegally planted on small patches of national forest.

  Today, marijuana production on national forest lands poses substantial risks to employees, the public, and the environment. Many of the marijuana operations on public lands are associated with organized crime.
• Hawkins Creek Road (Road 11) closed for public safety

  Area(s): Lower McCloud River (below McCloud Dam), McCloud Reservoir

  Date(s): Nov 28, 2018

  The Shasta-Trinity NF has closed a two mile segment of the Hawkins Creek Road (Forest Road 38N11) for public safety due to the deteriorating road condition. The road will be closed from just below McCloud Dam (Mile Post 8.6) to the Tunnel Crossing Site (Mile 10.6) (see map). This segment of roadway is closed to all motorized traffic until further notice.

  This portion of the road has been damaged by winter storm-related events and subsequent spillway releases and recent inspection of the damaged sites indicate further deterioration is possible during winter storm events when heavy rain may cause reservoir spill and/or soil saturation. We are working with PG&E, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) & the Federal Highways Administration to repair or reconstruct this road segment. Order & map: https://go.usa.gov/xPF2K. For more info, please contact Shasta-McCloud Management Unit at (530) 926-9643

• Backcountry and Wilderness Conditions

  Date(s): Nov 6, 2018

  Conditions are changing daily in the higher elevations of the forest, including the Mount Shasta and Trinity Alps Wilderness areas. We urge hikers and other backcountry users to be prepared.

   

  • Carry a topographic map, compass, and GPS and know how to use them.
  • Pack gear and wear boots and clothing appropriate for a variety of conditions.
  • Let someone know your plans and your back up plans!
  • Always have a backup plan in case of unexpected hazards, such as changes in weather, snow-covered trails that are hard to find, a creek that is running too high to cross safely, or a bridge being damaged.

   

  And as always, call the nearest Ranger Station before you go. Stations are generally not open on weekends, so be sure to call during the week. 

• Scott Flat Footbridge Damaged & Closed

  Date(s): May 25, 2018

  The footbridge that crosses the South Fork Trinity River Trail accessed from Scott Flat Campground is damaged and closed at this time. Please see the map and description below of the alternate route: If going west on Highway 36, Forest Glen campground will be on the right (north side) of the highway. You will pass over the South Fork Trinity bridge and immediately after on the left is the 1S26 Road. Drive 1.5 miles up the 1S26 Road and the trailhead will be on the left. It is marked with a sign leaning against a tree. Turn around and park back down the road a little in the wide areas on the road. Walk back up to the trail head, pass around the gate, and you will be on the trail. The Scott Flat footbridge is about 0.5 miles from this point. The trail continues on for about 18 miles with the other end of the trailhead off of the 29N30 Road at the Double Cabins Site. Do NOT block access to the gate with your car.

View More Alerts

Closures

• Critical Salt Fire Closure Area Order

  Date(s): Sep 22, 2021

  Salt Fire Closure Area Order

  Salt Fire Closure Area Map

• Mud Creek and Ash Creek Closure Order & Map 14-21-17

  Date(s): Sep 17, 2021

  Mud Creek and Ash Creek Closure Order  14-21-17

  Mud Creek and Ash Creek Closure Map 14-21-17